Articles publicats (Ciència Animal)
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- ItemOpen AccessEffects of supplementing a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on ex vivo fermentation traits and on performance of lactating Holstein dairy cows(Elsevier, 2026) Bach, Àlex; Escartín, Miguel; Culley, Charlie; Macdonald, Andrew; Joergensen, Jens N.; Queiroz, Oscar C.M.; Cappellozza, Bruno I.Three studies evaluated the effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on ex vivo fermentation traits, as well as on performance of lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, rumen-fistulated lactating Holstein-Friesian cows (6.6 ± 2.3 parity; 630 ± 37.2 kg BW; 18.9 ± 3.35 kg milk/d) were fed an unsupplemented ration (CON; n = 5) or supplemented with 3 g/cow per d of a Bacillus-based DFM (BAC; n = 5) for 14 d before rumen sampling and subsequent ex vivo evaluation of fermentation characteristics of 2 different substrates (vetch hay [Vicia sativa] and perennial ryegrass herbage [Lolium perenne L.]). Total gas production, methane (CH4), VFA, and rumen ammonia-N were determined after 24 h of fermentation. In experiment 2, 60 Holstein cows (mean ± SD; 61 ± 3 DIM) fed a 39:61 forage-to-concentrate TMR were assigned to CON or BAC (3 g/cow daily for 13 wk; n = 30 cows per group). In experiment 3, 76 Holstein cows (25 ± 3 DIM) fed a 55:45 forage-to-concentrate TMR were assigned to CON or BAC (3 g/cow daily for 12 wk; n = 38 cows per group). Dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, and feed efficiency were evaluated for both experiments 2 and 3. Data from all experiments were analyzed using mixed-effects models. In experiment 1, ruminal concentrations of total VFA, as well as molar proportions of butyrate, isovalerate, valerate, acetate-to-propionate ratio, and NH3-N increased in BAC compared with CON. In contrast, molar proportions of acetate and propionate were lower for BAC than for CON. Gas production was increased in BAC when adjusted for the amount of DM incubated without affecting CH4 production. In experiment 2, DMI decreased for both groups starting at wk 7 of the study, but BAC cows consumed less feed than CON cows from wk 8 to 11 and at wk 13. As a consequence, feed efficiency was greater for BAC than for CON cows from wk 5 to 11 and at wk 13 of the study. In experiment 3, mean DMI, milk yield, ECM yield, and milk TS yield were greater in BAC than in CON cows. Altogether, these results indicate that feeding a Bacillus-based DFM is a feasible alternative to promote dairy cow productivity, likely through beneficial changes in ruminal fermentation.
- ItemOpen AccessThe local damage and systemic inflammation induced by a biodegradable polydioxanone stent implanted in the rabbit trachea decreases markedly with stent degradation(MDPI, 2026) Serrano-Casorran, Carolina; Rodriguez-Zapater, Sergio; Rodriguez-Panadero, Francisco; Gomez, Raquel; Bonastre, Cristina; Guirola, Jose Andres; Rodriguez, Jose; Gregorio, Miguel Angel deBiodegradable tracheal stents have been developed to overcome the limitations of metallic and removable stents in benign airway disease. This study evaluated the local and systemic inflammatory response induced by a biodegradable polydioxanone tracheal stent in a rabbit model. Twenty-one rabbits were assigned to three follow-up groups (30, 60, and 90 days). In each group, six animals received a tracheal stent, and one served as a sham control. Clinical status and respiratory symptoms were monitored, and serial peripheral blood interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were measured. At the end of follow-up, tracheoscopy, IL-8 quantification in tracheal lavage, and necropsy were performed. No deaths or severe respiratory symptoms occurred. Tracheoscopic findings were significantly less severe after stent degradation, with reduced congestion (p = 0.030), inflammation (p = 0.003), and secretions (p = 0.030). Two granulomas and two cases of stenosis were identified. Mean IL-8 expression in tracheal lavage (relative quantification, RQ) was 14,129 ± 3007 when the stent was present and 426 ± 100 after degradation (p = 0.003). Blood IL-8 expression increased significantly on day 1 compared with baseline (p = 0.022) and subsequently decreased (p = 0.034). Inflammatory and structural alterations induced by a polydioxanone tracheal stent decrease after stent degradation.
- ItemOpen AccessLongitudinal surveillance of influenza a virus exposure in wild boars (sus scrofa) in Spain (2015-2023): serologic and virologic evidence of subtype infections and H5N1 spillover risk(Wiley, 2026) Encinas, Paloma; Nogales, Aitor; Escribano-Romero, Estela; Martín Del Burgo, M Ángeles; López-Olvera, Jorge Ramón; Granados, José Enrique; Mentaberre García, Gregorio; García-Sastre,Adolfo; Real, Gustavo delIntroduction: Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are responsible for respiratory infections in a wide range of species, including birds, swine and humans. The role of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in IAV epidemiology remains underexplored. Here, we present a longitudinal serologic and virologic surveillance study of wild boars in Spain from 2015 to 2023. Methods: A total of 1643 nasal exudates and 2932 serum samples were analysed using quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays to detect IAV positive samples and IAV targeted antibodies to characterise circulating viral subtypes. In addition, in the context of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks, we explored the potential transmission of avian IAV to wild boar. Results: In summary, 6% of the serum samples tested positive and one IAV H3N1 was isolated. The seroprevalence remained stable from 2015 to 2018, undetected in 2019 and increased significantly from 2020 to 2023. The most frequently detected subtype was Eurasian avian-like H1 (clade 1C) while pandemic H1 (clade 1A) and human-like H1 (clade 1B) were less common. Human seasonal-like H3 strains from the 2000s (2000s-like H3) emerged in 2017 and have become more seroprevalent in recent years. A subset of wild boar sera from areas overlapping with H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in poultry and wild birds tested positive for recombinant H5 by ELISA, although H5N1 HI assays were negative. Conclusions: The monitoring of IAV in wild boar population allowed the identification of the temporal and spatial trends and shifts in the prevalence and characterisation of the infecting IAV strains. Our data suggest potential spillover events from human or other sources and support the inclusion of integrated monitoring of the wild suids as IAV reassortment-prone hosts in influenza surveillance programs.
- ItemOpen AccessReproductive performance of dairy cows assigned to either a combination of estrus detection using sensors and timed artificial insemination or to a synchronization program(Elsevier, 2026) Valenza, Alessio; Bach, ÀlexAt calving, 2,213 Holstein cows from 5 farms were enrolled in a study to establish potential associations between postcalving health disorders and reproductive performance and to determine the effectiveness in achieving pregnancy at first artificial insemination (AI) and the consequences on the proportion of cows pregnant by 150 DIM when using 2 different reproductive management programs for first service. Within farm, cows were randomly allocated to 2 reproductive schemes: (1) inseminating based on estrus detection with a backup synchronization program (SP) on open cows with DIM ≥ 80 (HD; 1,141 cows, 34% primiparous [PPC]) or (2) after an SP (1,072 cows, 35% PPC). Cows on HD were inseminated when detected in estrus using an accelerometer if DIM >50, and those not inseminated based on estrus by 80 ± 3 DIM (28.8%) were submitted to an Ovsynch protocol, if a corpus luteum (CL) was present, or to the same Ovsynch protocol but with the addition of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device if CL was absent. Cows on SP were submitted to a simplified double-Ovsynch protocol (the first GnRH injection was omitted) and serviced between 74 and 80 DIM. On average, cows on HD were first inseminated at 72.4 ± 1.63 DIM, whereas those on SP were first inseminated at 78.3 ± 1.63 DIM. At first AI, PPC had a greater (P < 0.01) pregnancy at first AI (P/AI; 55.3%) than multiparous cows (MPC; 38.6%). But PPC submitted to SP had the greatest P/AI during the cold season (63.8%), followed by PPC on SP (57.5%) and on HD (54.6%) during the hot season. During the cold season, P/AI in PPC on HD was lower (45.6%) than that of PPC on SP (63.8%); whereas P/AI in MPC was similar among treatments and seasons, except for MPC in HD during the hot season (32.2%) compared with those on SP (41.9%). By 150 DIM, there were no differences in the proportion of pregnant cows between SP and HD. Cows with retained placenta tended to be inseminated later than those that expelled the placenta within 24 h. Cows that experienced metritis tended to have lower P/AI than cows that stayed healthy after calving, but cows on SP that incurred metritis tended to have better P/AI than cows on HD with metritis. Relying on estrus detection may allow for a first AI at lower DIM, but at 150 DIM, the proportions of pregnant cows was similar between the 2 strategies.
- ItemOpen AccessHunters’ perception of the ecosystem services provided by the vertebrate scavenger guild(Taylor and Francis, 2026) Colomer, M. Àngels (Maria Àngels); Tobajas, Jorge; Nadal García, Jesús; Pérez-García, Juan M.; Oliva-Vidal, Pilar; Margalida, AntoniThe decline of hunting activity in Europe not only threatens cultural traditions but also impacts ecological processes and biodiversity conservation. Understanding how hunters perceive the functional role of vertebrate scavengers in recycling animal by-products from game hunting is crucial for assessing their attitudes towards this guild. We gathered 1147 questionnaires to explore Spanish hunters’ perceptions of scavenging species and their importance as ecosystem service providers. The perception of vultures and their scavenging roles (regulating service), was generally positive among hunters (88%). Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) and cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) were the species most highly appreciated for their regulating services, whereas facultative avian (corvids and raptors) and mammal scavengers were the least valued. Hunters expressed a higher preference for disposal of game remains for scavengers rather than incineration, especially by vultures and to a lesser extent by facultative scavengers. Our findings also show that respondents with higher levels of education tended to express more favourable attitudes towards scavengers. Hunters recognize that scavenger guilds play crucial roles in providing both regulating and cultural ecosystem services.